Governor



Oct. 14, 1941. E. c. READ GOVERNOR Filed Nov. 15, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet lm INVENTOR ZVi/PIT? C. FZHD.

- ATTORNEY Oct. 14 1.

E. C.-READ 2,258,688 GOVERNOR v I Filed Nov. 15, 1940 s Sheets-Shet 2 viii/'7' c,

E/ s-g p ByWw.

Oct. 14, 1941.- E. c. EAD 2,258,688

GOVERNOR I Filed NOV. 15, 1940 INVENTOR 51/525776. F590.

BY. Wu 7 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 14, 1941 GOVERNOR Everett 0. Read, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The Filer & St0well -Go., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application November 15, 1940, Serial No. 365,794

15 Claims. (Cl

' adjust or vary tension of the governorspring or This invention relates to an improvement in governors for steam engines.

One of the objects of the invention is to obtain a selective, though close, regulation over the speed of the engine and to accomplish this hy,

draulically and with a structure which is simple, compact, closely organized and reliable, and efficient, and yet conveniently adjustable while the engine is running, to select or determine any particular speed within the range of adjustment which the governor provides.

In carrying out the invention the speed of the engine is controlled by a centrifugal inertia-type governor having a fluid pressure motor combined therewith after the manner of a hydraulic relay. The governor controls the displacement of the steam eccentric, which in turn imparts such movement to the steam valve as to bring about a cut-off corresponding to any existing load.

The fluid under pressure is supplied to the motor by means of a pump which may be driven from the engine shaft. Pressure relief means is combined with the fluid pressure supply means and is governed in its action by a control device which is responsive to a characteristic of the performance of the engine which varies as a function of the load. In the present instance the pressure relief means includes a suitable pipe and valve arrangement including an oil control valve which is opened and closed under the control of a speed responsive device rotated with the engine shaft. The speed responsive device acts directly on the valve, and as the speed of the engine increases tends under the influence of centrifugal force to open the valve. The valve is biased toward closed position under the influence of suitable spring means. For example, a single spring may be employed, or in some instances the valve may be biased to closed position under the conjoint influence of a main governor spring and an auxiliary speed control spring which may be adjusted while the engine is running to select an engine speed somewhat above or somewhat below that determined by the setting of the main governor spring. Various types of oil control valves may be used. One simple arrangement employs a poppet valve, but other embodiments may employ a sleeve-type valve or a piston-type valve. The control thus had over a range of engine speeds and practically available while the engine is running has a number of advantages important among which is that it provides a simple way of synchronizing the speed of two or more engines.

Various types of means may be employed to spring means which regulates the action ofthe oil control valve. In its simplest form the adjustment may be effected by means of a manually,

operable screw suitably combined with instrumentalities which control the tension Of. the

spring and accessible from the exterior of the.

engine.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a remote control for adjusting the governor spring, and this may conveniently comprise a small reversible electric motor, push button controlled and acting through reduction gearing and suitable motion transmission means to change the spring tension. Obviously a solenoid could 3 be substituted for the motor and a rheostat used to vary the force applied by the solenoid.

Other types of controls may also be employed,

and in some instances they be automatic in their character. For example, if the engine is used to drive an air compressor, a fluid pressure motor may be combined with the compressor and with the governor spring to maintain a constant pressure in the storage tank to which compressor delivers its compressed air.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features ofthe construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in theappended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in endelevation of one embodiment of the invention and illustrating one type of speedresponsive. device for regulating the discharge of the pressure relief means, the removable end plate of theengine housing being removed for the sake of illustration;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal 5 cross section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in end elevation and partly in transverse vertical cross section, showing in a diagrammatic fashion howthe speed responsive control for the pressure relief means is combined with the system in this form of the invention;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary View in transverse vertical cross section illustrating how the fluid pressure motor of the system is combined with the engine shaft and eccentric sheave in this type of structure;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in front elevation illustrating one type of remote control which may be provided for varying the tension of the spring means;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view partly in end elevation and partly in section further illustrating the remote control shown in Figure Figure 7 is a fragmentary view partly in central vertical longitudinal section and partly in side elevation illustrating one type of automatic control for the governor spring tension; and

Figure 8 is a view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal, vertical cross section illustrating a modification of the invention wherein a speed sensitive fly ball governor is employed in combination with a sleeve-type of valve. 7

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a fragment of the crank case of the housing of a steam engine constructed in accordance with the present invention. This housing supports and encloses the bearings (not shown) in which the main shaft or crank shaft 6 of the engine is supported for rotation. One end of the housing is provided for a removable end plate or cover plate 1, which, when applied to the housing, is secured in position by a suitable number of stud bolts 8.

The governor embodying the present invention is that type of structure illustrated in Figures 15, 16, and 17 of my application for Governors, filed January 18, 1939, Serial No. 251,460, now Patent 2,230,263, and reference is made to said application and patent for a more complete disclosure of this type of governor and its various modes of embodiment.

The speed of the engine is controlled by a distributing valve (not shown), and more especially by varying the point of cut-off of the distributing valve in accordance with the well-known practice. The distributing valve is actuated by a suitable valve gear, which, as shown in Figure 4, includes a rocker arm l0 actuated by means of an eccentric rod ll extending from an eccentric strap I2. The eccentric strap i2 is fitted about an eccentric sheave l3, which is shifted relative to the main shaft or crank shaft in the engine to vary the point of cut off. To support the eccentric sheave |3 on the crank shaft for swinging or shifting movement relative thereto, the sheave I3 is formed with a transverse bearing l 5 through which a pivot pin [6 extends, the pin I6 being supported on a bracket l1 formed as an integral part of the crank shaft 6 of the engine- The combined weight of the eccentric sheave l3, and part of the eccentric strap l2, together with the extra weights I 8, suitably connected to the eccentric sheave l3, provides the actual governor weight. The center of gravity of this governor weight is located some distance from the center of the main shaft of the engine, the distance naturally changing with the position of the eccentric sheave. Centrifugal force acting on the governor weight provides means for causing the combined governor weights to swing or shift outwardly with respect to the engine shaft. This action of the centrifugal force may be opposed by means of a torsion spring in the manner disclosed in the application above referred to. centrifugal force is also opposed by means of a fluid pressure motor designated generally at 2|, and it is with the control had'over the action of this motor that the present invention is concerned.

The fluid pressure motor 2| comprises a cylinder 30 formed integral with or rigidly connected to the engine shaft. The cylinder 30 has one open end and has its other end closed by an in- This action of the head 3| of the cylinder.

tegral head 3|. A piston 32 is fitted in the cylinder 30. A connecting link 33 has one end connected to the piston adjacent its head and has its opposite end pivotally connected to the eccentric sheave. This link 33 extends through a cap or fitting 35 surrounding the open end of the cylinder and having an annular groove 36 in which the skirt of the piston works to provide a dash-pot or dampening means for the motor. With a construction as thus far described, and oil under pressure supplied to the space between the head 3| of the cylinder and the head of the piston 32, and with the engine not running, the eccentric sheave Will assume a position wherein its pad 13' will bear against the outer face of the This position of the eccentric sheave corresponds to maximum cut off, and after the engine has come up to almost normal speed, centrifugal force is increased to such an extent that it now balances the existing oil pressure under the piston 32, and, also, the tension of the spring, if one is used. The eccentric is thereby moved in by centrifugal force to decrease the cut-off until the steam admitted to the cylinder corresponds to the present load.

In the description of the operation just concluded we have assumed that the oil pressure under the piston is constant. A still closer regulation can be accomplished by the introduction of means for varying the oil pressure under the piston to such an extent that for any change in load the oil pressure is changed correspondingly in the same instant.

Referring now to Figure 3, the present invention, as in the preceding application above referred to, proposes to provide an oil pump 40 located in the sump of the crank case and suitably driven from the engine shaft. The outlet of the pump discharges into a pipe line 42, which may be of tubing, and which in turn connects to a distributing manifold ring, designated generally at 43. This ring 43, which is stationary, surrounds a circumferentially grooved end portion 6' of the crank shaft 6. Packing rings 44 are provided between the ring 43 and the annularly grooved end portion 6 of the crank shaft so that the oil delivered to the grooves in the end portion 6' of the shaft will flow through radial passages 45 therein into a longitudinal duct 45, which communicates with the space between the head of the piston 32 and the head 3| of the cylinder 30. A branch line 50 also of tubing leads from the oil line 42 to a governor oil pressureregulating valve, designated generally at 51.

The valve 5| comprises a casing 52 having a valve seat 53 with which a poppet valve 54 coacts. The branch 50 connects with the portion of the valve on which the seat 53 is formed so that when the poppet valve is engaged with the seat, or closed, flow of. oil through the branch 59 into the valve 5! is stopped. The poppet valve is loaded by means of a spring 55 whose tension may be adjusted by means of adjusting screw 56. Its head is provided with a small port 51 which permits the pressure from the branch 50 to pass on to the opposite side of the valve from its seat and into a chamber 58. The chamber 53 connects with the pipe line 59 which leads down to an oil relief valve arrangement, designated generally at 68, and responsive in its action to the speed of the engine.

A relief valve 59' may be incorporated in the pipe line 59 to relieve any excess pressure which might occur while the engine is running at a speed below that at which the oil control valve 82 will function. I

The chamber 58 is surrounded by a jacket GI which communicates with the branch 50 when the valve 5I is open. The jacket 6I connects with the pipe 62 which has branches 63 leading to the points to be lubricated. 'A lubricating oil pressure valve, designated at 65, connects up with the pipe 62 and regulates the pressure in the lubricating system of the engine served by the pipe 62.

The pressure in the governing system is determined by the tension of the spring 55 and the; oil pressure above the poppet valve 54. In other words, the force due to the oil pressure acting under the valve is balanced by spring tension plus the oil pressure above the valve. Hence, the oil pressure in the governing system, which is acting on the piston 32 in the fluid pressure motor 2|, can be regulated within wide limits by varying the oil pressure acting on the top of the valve 54. Such variation of the oil pressure acting on top of the valve 54 is effected by more or less restricting-the flow of oil from the space above the valve, and the means provided for this purpose in the present instance is the oil relief valve arrangement 60.

As shown to advantage in Figures 2 and 3, the pipe 59, which has one end connected to the chamber 58, has its opposite end connected and communicating with the outer end of a passage way 1!] provided in the manifold ring 43. This passage I opens into a chamber II formed within the ring 43 and in open communication with an axial passage-Way I2 provided in the hub portion of a valve block I4. The valve block I4 is fastened by means of a stud I5 and washer I6 to the outer end of an extension 11 of the crank shaft 6. The hub of this valve block projects into the chamber 'II. Packing I8 is provided between the manifold ring 03 and the extension of the valve block. The axial passageway I2 through the hub communicates with the transversely extending passage-way 88, which leads to the periphery of the block and is provided at its outer end with a valve seat 8|. The flow of oil out through the passage 30 and past the valve seat 8I is controlled by needle valve 82, which may be conveniently supported on the valve-operating lever 83. One 'end of the lever 83 is fulcrumed as at 84 on the valve block. Intermediate its ends the lever is provided with openings 85 and 86. A stop screw 81 extends loosely through the opening 36 and is provided with adjustable stop nuts 88 to limit the extent to which the lever 83 may swing outwardly. A bolt 89 extends loosely through the opening 85 and threads into the valve block. A loading spring 98 encircles the bolt 89 and has one end bearing on the valve lever and its opposite end engaging the abutment 9| provided at the outerend of the bolt 89.

The weight of the lever 83 and of the valve 82 under the influence of centrifugal force tends to swing the valve-operating lever 83 and valve 82 outwardly or to open position against the action of the spring 98. The opposition that the spring 98 presents to such opening of the valve is supplemented, or may be entirely replaced, by a retractile I001]. spring 95 having one end connected, as at 96, to the outer end of the valve lever 83, and having its inner end connected to an adjustable abutment 91 which is preferably in the form of a rock arm fixed to one end of a rock shaft 98 supported in bearings I00 provided therefor in .the valve block. A shaft operating lever I0l isalso pinned to the rockshaft 98 and is formed with 'a rounded bearing pad at its outer .end which engages the rounded inner end of an adjustable'abutment I02.

. In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and; 2,'the abutment I02 is preferably in the form of .a leaded bronze cap mounted on the inner end ofan adjusting screw I03 threaded into an internally threaded bearing provided therefor on a removable cover I and held in position by lock nut I04. A cap I05 may be provided to enclose the outer. end of the screw I03 and its lock nut I04. 1By removing the cap I06 and'adjusting the screw I03, the tension of the spring .95 may be varied while the engine is running; In this way the speed may be varied over a considerable range while the engine is running.

In the construction described the spring is first adjusted or set to function as the main governor spring, and the spring may be readily adjusted'at any time from the exterior of the engine housing so as to select a speed somewhat under, or somewhat over the speed determined by the settingof the spring 90, the spring 95 thus functioning as an auxiliary speed control spring.

In lieu of a manually adjustable screw, such as. screw I03, for varying the tension of the spring means, be the latter a single spring or an auxiliary control spring, remote control means may be provided for this purpose. As illustrated in Figure 6, the leaded bronze cap, adjusting screw I83, lock nut I04, and cap I05 may be omitted, and a smooth or bushed bearing H0 may b'e'substituted for the threaded bearing for the screw I03. .An abutment pin III is slidably fitted in the bushed bearing III! and is engaged at its inner end with therounded bearing pad at the outer end of the lever IOI. The outer end of the pin IIO projects beyond the bearing III and is engaged with a rock arm II2 pinned to one end of a shaft II3. The shaft H3 is supported for rotation or rocking movement in bearings vI I 4 provided on the cover I. At the end of the shaft II3 opposite the. rock arm II2 a lever H5 is pinned to the shaft. The outer end of this lever is engaged with a cam I I8 fixed to a shaft III whichis. the output shaft of a speed reducer or reduction gear set H8. The drive shaft or input shaft II9 of the speed reducer is coupled as at I20 to the armature shaft I2I of a small electric motor I22, which, along with the speed reducer, is supported on bracket I23 carried by the cover plate I. The motor l22 is a reversible eelctric motor and may be controlled fromv a push button station mounted on a switch board, whereby the operator can increase or decrease the speed through this electric remote control device. The extent to which the shaft II3 may be rotated in one direction, that is in the direction to reduce the tension of the spring 95,'is limited by means of stop screw I24 carried at the outer end of an arm I25 pinned to an intermediate portion of the shaft II3. Obviously, a solenoid could be substituted for the motor and a rheostat used to vary the electromotive force impressed upon the solenoid.

In instances where an engine of this type is used to drive an air compressor, 'a fluid pressure motor may be utilizedto control the speed of the engine in such manner as .to maintain a constant air pressure. In; such an application, and. as illustrated in Figure 7, a fluid pressure motor, designated generally at I30, is mounted on the cover plate I and is operatively interrelated with the lever IOI. In the construction shown in Figure 7, the motor I30 comprises a cylinder I3I which is fixedly supported upon bracket I32 fastened to the cover plate I. A piston I33 is slidably fitted in the cylinder I3I. A piston rod I34 has one end fixed to the piston I33 and has its other end projecting beyond one of the end heads of the cylinder and slidable through the bearing III of the cover plate. .A. bronze cap I02, similar to the bronze cap I02, may be fitted on the outer end of the piston rod and is engaged with the rounded or padlike end of the lever IOI. A spring I35 is interposed between the head of the piston and one of the head end walls or end walls of the cylinder I3I and tends to force the piston to the right, as shown in Figure 5, thereby increasing the tension of spring 95. The space between the piston I33 and the end wall of the cylinder opposite that engaged by the spring I35, is connected by a pipe line I36 to the pressure tank (not shown) to which the air under pressure is delivered by the compressor. With this construction, upon a decrease in air pressure, the spring I35 forces the piston I33 to the right, as shown in Figure '7, thereby increasing the tension of the spring 95, so that the engine will speed up until the desired or controlled air pressure is reestablished. As the pressure builds up it offsets the action of the spring I35 and relieves the governor spring 95 of its excess tension. Obviously, a diaphragm type of motor could be substituted for the piston type motor.

While the oil relief valve arrangement 69, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 6, has a number of special advantages, the present invention also contemplates the use of different types of valves to control the relief of the pressure-acting on top of the valve 54 embodied in the oil pressure-regulating valve 5|. For example, in lieu of the valve 60 a sleeve type of valve, designated generally at I39, may be combined with a speed sensitive fly ball governor, designated generally at I40, mounted on and driven by one end of the crank shaft 6 of the engine, in the manner illustrated in Figure 8. The rotating spindle or shaft I of the governor is fixed to or constituted by an extension of the crank shaft 6 of the engine.

The sleeve valve I39 is constrained to rotate with the spindle MI by means of a pin I39 passing through diametrically opposite openings in the sleeve valve I39 and through a lengthwise slot I4I' provided in the spindle or shaft I4I.

cally opposite openings in the sleeve valve I39 and are pivotally interconnected with the links I49, of the fly ball governor I 49. Since the pin I39 is slidably fitted in the slot I4I, the sleeve valve I39, while constrained to rotate with the spindle I4 I, may slide longitudinally thereof. In the position shown in Figure 8, the sleeve valve covers and closes an annular groove I45 provided in the spindle or shaft I 4|. This groove I45 communicates through radial and axial passages I46 in the spindle or shaft I 4| with the passageway 10 in the distributing or manifold ring 43, which, as in the other embodiments of the invention, is connected up through pipe 59 (not shown in Figure 8, but shown in Figure 3) with the top of the valve 54.

As the speed of the engine increases, centrifugal force acting on the fly ball governor I40 tends to throw the balls thereof outwardly, and consequently tends, through the connection af- The ends of the pin I39 project beyond the diametrir forded by the links I49 and pin I39, to slide the sleeve valve I39 to the left, as viewed in Figure 8. A predetermined movement of the sleeve valve I39 to the left, as viewed in Figure 8, will uncover the annular groove I45, thereby causing the pressure in the fluid pressure motor 2| to be relieved.

The speed at which this relief is effected is determined by the adjustment of a spring I 43 which is combined with the sleeve valve I 39 to resiliently oppose sliding movement thereof to the left, as viewed in Figure 8, the spring I43 biasing the sleeve valve I39 to closed position, that is, to a position where it covers the annular groove I 45. The spring I43 has one end bearing against the headed end of a plunger I44. Between the headed end of the plunger and the sleeve valve I39 is a suitable ball thrust bearing I44. The tension of the spring I 43 may be conveniently varied by means of a hand-wheel I42 threadedly mounted on the cover plate I and having a spring abutment I 42' in its hub engaging the opposite end of the spring I43 from that engaged with the headed plunger I44. Obviously, by adjusting the hand-wheel I42 the speed of the engine may be varied.

While I have shown and described several constructions in which the invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that the constructions shown have been selected merely for the purpose of illustration or example, and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A governor for engines of the type having an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear in cluding a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the out off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to advance the cut off, a pump, means connecting the pump with the motor, a pressure-regulating valve having one side connected to said lastnamed means, an oil relief valve connected to the other side of said pressure-regulating valve and including a valve block fixed to and rotated with the engine shaft and having a pressure discharge port, a valve cooperable with said port to regulate the discharge therethrough, a valve lever pivoted on the block and carrying said valve, said lever and said valve being urged to open position under the influence of centrifugal force, and a spring coacting with the lever to bias the same to move the valve toward closed position.

2. A governor for engines of the type having an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cutoff and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to advance the cut off, a pump, means connecting the pump with the motor, a pressureregulating valve having one side connected to i said last-named means, an oil relief valve connected to the other side of said pressure-regulating valve and including a valve block fixed to and rotated with the engine shaft and having a pressure discharge port, a valve cooperable with said port to regulate the discharge therethrough, a valve lever pivoted on the block and carrying said valve, said lever and said valve beingurged to open position under the influence of a centrifugal force, a spring coacting with the lever to bias the same to move the valve toward closed position, and means adjustable from the exterior of the engine for varying the tension of said spring.

3. A governor for engines of the type having an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to advance the cut off, a pump, means connecting the pump with the motor, a pressureregulating valve having one side connected to said last-named means, an oil relief valve connected to the other side of said pressure-regulating valve and including a valve block fixed to and rotated with the engine shaft and having a pressure discharge port, a valve cooperable with said port to regulate the discharge therethrough, a valve lever pivoted on the block and carrying said valve, said lever and said valve being urged to open position under the influence of a centrifugal force, a spring coacting with the lever to bias the same to move the valve toward closed position, and means adjustable from the exterior of the engine for varying the tension of said spring and including an adjustable abutment for the spring comprising a rock arm, a rock shaft rotatably supported on the valve block and carrying said rock arm, an operating lever for said rock shaft having a bearing pad at its outer end, and an adjustable abutment mounted on the engine housing and in engagement with said rounded pad to control the position of said lever, shaft, and arm.

l. A governor for engines of the type having an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to advance the cut off, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said motor, and means for varying the pressure of the fluid which said first mentioned means supplies to said motor and comprising a valve block fixed to the engine shaft and, having a discharge port connected to said fluid pressure supply means, a valve for regulating the flow of fluid through said discharge port, an operator for said valve mounted on the valve block, said operator and said valve tending under the influence of centrifugal force to open the valve, a main governor spring coacting with said operator to bias said valve to closed position, and an auxiliary speed control spring also coactmg with said valve operator to bias it and the valve to closed position, and means for adjusting the tension of said aux'liary speed control spring.

- 5. A governor for engines of the type having an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to advance the cut off, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said motor, and means for varying the pressure of the fluid which said first mentioned means supplies to said motor and comprising a valve block fixed to the engine shaft and having a discharge port connected to said fluid pressure supply means, a valve for regulating the flow of fluid through said discharge port, an operator for said valve mounted on the valve block, said operator and said valve tending under the influence of centrifugal force to open the valve, a main governor spring coacting with said operator to bias said valve to closed position, and an auxiliary speed control spring also 00- acting with said valve operator to bias it and the valve to closed position, and means for adjusting the tension of said auxiliary speed control spring and including an adjustable abutment for one end of said auxiliary speed control spring comprising a rock arm, a rock shaft rotatably supported on the valve block and towhich. said rock arm is fixed, an operating lever for said rock shaft having a bearing pad at its outer end, an adjusting screw mounted on the housing of the engine and adjustable from the exterior thereof and having its inner end engageable with said bearing pad.

6. A governor for engines of the type having an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to advance the cut off, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said motor, and means for varying the pressure of the fluid which said first mentioned means supplies to said motor and comprising a valve block fixed to the engine shaft and having a discharge port connected to said fluid pressure supply means, a valve for regulating the flow of fluid through said discharge port, an operator for said valve mounted on the valve block, said operator and said valve tending under the influence of centrifugal force to open the valve, a main governor spring coacting with said operator to bias said valve to closed position, an auxiliary speed control spring also coacting with said valve operator to bias it and the valve to closed position, means for adjusting the tension of said auxiliary speed control spring and including an adjustable abutment for one end of said auxiliary speed control spring comprising a rock arm, a rock shaft rotatably supported on the valve block and to which said rock arm is fixed, an operating lever for said rock shaft having a bearing pad at its outer end, an adjustable screw mounted on the housing of the engine and adjustable from the exterior thereof, and a leaded bronze cap mounted on the inner end of the adjustable screw and engageable with saidbearing pad. I

'7. A governor for engines of the type having an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to advance the cut off, a pump, means connecting the pump with the motor, a pressureregulating valve having one side connected to said last-named means, an oil relief valve connected to the other side of said pressure-regulating means and including a valve block fixed to and rotated with the engine shaft and having a pressure discharge port, a valve cooperable with said port to regulate the discharge therethrough, a valve lever pivoted on the block and carrying said valve, said lever and said valve being urged to open position under the influence of centrifugal force, a main governor spring coacting with the lever to bias the same to move the valve toward closed position, an auxiliary speed control spring also co-acting with the lever and supplementing the action of the main governor spring, and means for varying the tension of the auxiliary speed control spring from the exterior of the engine housing and while the engine is running.

8. A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cut off, a source of supply of fluid under pressure, a connection between said source and said motor, pressure relief means in communication with said connection and including a valve block fixed to the engine shaft and having a fluid pressure relief port, a valve cooperable with said port to regulate the discharge therethrough, a valve lever pivoted on the block and carrying said valve, said lever and said valve being urged to open position under the influence of centrifugal force, a main governor spring cooperable with the lever to bias the same and the valve toward closed position, an auxiliary speed control spring interconnecting the block and the lever and supplementing the action of the main governor spring, and means adjustable from the exterior of the housing and operable to vary the tension of the auxiliary speed control spring from the exterior of the housing and while the engine is running.

9. A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cut off, a source of supply of fluid under pressure, a connection between said source and said motor, pressure relief means in communication with said 7 connection and including a valve block fixed to the engine shaft and having a fluid pressure relief port, avalve cooperable with said port to regulate the discharge therethrough, a valve lever pivoted on the block and carrying said valve, said lever and'said valve being urged to open position under the influence of centrifugal force, and adjustable spring means cooperable with the lever to bias the same and the valve toward a closed position.

10. A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear and including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut-off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cut-off, a pump, means connecting the pump with the motor, a pressure-regulating valve having one side connected to said last-named means, an oil relief valve connected to the other side of said pressure-regulating valve, means driven in timed relation to the ngine shaft intending to open said oil relief valve under the influence of centrifugal force, spring means for biasing the oil relief valve to closed position, mechanism for varying the adjustment of said spring means, and a control device for said mechanism operable from the exterior of the engine housing and operable to actuate said mechanism when the engine is running.

11. A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut-off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and thesheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cutoff, means for varying the pressure of the fluid supplied to the motor and including an oil relief valve, means driven in timed relation to the engine tending to open said oil relief valve under the influence of centrifugal force, a spring for biasing the oil relief valve to closed position, adjusting means for varying the tension of the spring, and a screw mounted on the engine housing and adjustable from the exterior thereof to control the action of said adjusting means.

12. A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and Weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the out-off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cut-off, means for varying the pressure of the fluid supplied to the motor and including an oil relief valve, means driven in timed relation to the engine tending to open said oil relief valve under the influence of centrifugal force, a spring for biasing the oil relief valve to closed position, adjusting means for varying the tension of the spring, and a hand-wheel mounted on the engine housing and operable from the exterior thereof and interconnecting the said adjusting means to vary the action thereof.

13. A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut-off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cut-off, means for varying the pressure of the fluid supplied to the motor and including an oil relief valve, means driven in timed relation to the engine tending to open said oil relief valve under the influence of centrifugal force, a spring for biasing the oil relief valve to closed position, adjusting means for varying the tension of the spring, and a remote control device mounted on the exterior of the engine housing and interconnected with said adjusting means to vary the action thereof. I

14.-A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut-off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cut-off, means for varying the pressure of the fluid supplied to the motor and including an oil relief valve, means driven in timed relation to the engine tending to open said oil relief valve under the influence of centrifugal force, a spring for biasing the oil relief valve to closed position, adjusting means for varying the tension of the spring, and a remote control device mounted on the exterior of the engine housing and interconnected with said adjusting means to vary the action thereof and comprising a reversible electric motor and motion transmission means between said motor and said spring.

15. A governor for steam engines of the type having a housing and an engine shaft actuated distributing valve gear including a shiftable eccentric sheave mounted on the engine shaft and weighted so as to be shifted with respect thereto under the influence of centrifugal force to decrease the cut-off and comprising a fluid pressure motor operatively interposed between the shaft and the sheave and acting when supplied with fluid under pressure to cause the sheave to shift with respect to the shaft to increase the cut-off, means for varying the pressure of the fluid supplied to the motor and including an oil relief valve, means driven in timed relation to the engine tending to open said oil relief valve under the influence of centrifugal force, a spring for biasing the oil relief valve to closed position, adjusting means for varying the tension of the spring, and means for automatically regulating the action of said adjusting means including a fluid pressure motor mounted on the exterior of the engine housing and operatively connected with said adjusting means.

EVERETT C. READ. 

